What the fleet has seen
The Ericson Yachts 38, as the fleet has seen it
Derived from the videos the fleet has analysed of this model. ▶ marks open the moment aboard.
The Ericson Yachts 38 is a Bruce King-designed masthead sloop built by Ericson Yachts from 1979 to 1987, featuring a fin keel with a spade rudder, an LOA of 11.5 meters, a beam of 3.7 meters, and a displacement of 6350 kg. The model has multiple draft options, including a standard shoal draft of 1.5 meters and optional wing or deep keels, and a variant, the Ericson 38-200, shares the same hull but introduced a new deck, coach roof, and interior around 1986. Aboard *Thelonious*, Christian Williams, 82, sails his Ericson 38 off the Santa Monica coast, often single-handed with a Raymarine EV100 wheel pilot, and has used it for maneuvers like slab reefing and controlled jibes in 17 knots of wind.8:19 Williams performs ongoing maintenance, including descaling the engine's raw water cooling system with Barnacle Buster, repairing an inflatable dinghy with Polymarine PVC adhesive, and replacing a failed Adler Barber refrigeration unit with an Isotherm system.7:59 He also customizes the boat with features like weather cloths with leather wear patches instead of a dodger, and a market umbrella for sun and rain protection.8:30 Williams notes the transition from small-boat sailing to handling a 16,000-pound vessel requires consistent mechanical procedures for safety.17:36
